Blood donors needed

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

With the arrival of Labor Day and the unofficial end to summer, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to roll up a sleeve and give blood or platelets to help ensure sufficient supplies over the holiday weekend.

Red Cross is offering some incentive: Those who present to donate between Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards, and all donors will walk away with the instant gratification that they may be helping to save more than one life.

To help spur additional donations over the Labor Day weekend, all presenting blood and platelet donors between Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 will also receive a complimentary Red Cross T-shirt.

“The summer may be coming to an end, but the work of the Red Cross is far from over,” said Darrin Greenlee, interim CEO of the Red Cross Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region. “As you make plans for this Labor Day holiday, please also make time to give blood and help patients who depend on your lifesaving donation.”

While thousands of people answered the call for blood and platelet donations issued by the Red Cross earlier this summer, an urgent need remains for platelets and types O negative, A negative and B negative blood. The summer months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood and platelet donations to keep pace with patient needs.

To donate blood call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

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